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“Piermont Reads” is a reading project centered on Thomas Berger’s novel, Neighbors. Think of it as a village-wide book club.

The project begins with distribution of free paperback copies of the book at our launch party on Wednesday, June 20th at 6:30 p.m. (Supply is limited. Don’t miss your chance to pick up a copy.) Light refreshments will be served.

We will all read the book over the summer months and then reconvene for two Piermont Reads events in the Fall. A scholarly talk by Library Trustee, Dr. Cara Stepanian, will be held Sunday, September 23rd at 2 pm. A screening of the film adaptation of the book will be held Friday, October 5th at 7:30 pm.

Why Berger?

Local artist Jeanne Redpath-Berger, widow of renowned author Thomas Berger, left a bequest to the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library when she passed in 2015. The two had been longtime Grandview residents. To honor the Berger family and their generous bequest to the library, the funds will be used in part to sponsor the “Piermont Reads” project.

Author of over 20 novels, Thomas Berger was described by Hillel Italie in the LA Times as, “the witty and eclectic novelist who reimagined the American West in the historical yarn Little Big Man and mastered genres ranging from detective stories to domestic farce.” Alex Taylor’s 2014 obituary on Lohud.com states that, “By all accounts Berger loved the Nyack-Piermont area, prizing its privacy and scenic beauty. He was often spotted walking his dachshund and shopping for groceries. Berger was also said to have frequented local libraries and to have occasionally socialized with fellow Grand View residents.”